SCSA Glossary of key words

Account

State reasons for, report on.

Give an account of

Narrate a series of events or transactions.

Advise

Recommend or inform.

Analyse

Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications.

Apply

Use, utilise, employ in a particular situation.

Argue

Make a case, based on appropriate evidence, for and/or against some given point of view.

Assess

Make a judgement of value, quality, outcomes, results or size.

Calculate

Ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information.

Choose (multiple-choice)

Decide or select the most suitable from a number of different options.

Clarify

Make clear or plain.

Classify

Arrange or include in classes/categories.

Comment on

Make reference to and expand upon.

Compare

Show how things are similar and different.

Complete

Finish an outlined task.

Consider

Reflect on and make a judgement/evaluation.

Construct

Make; build; put together items or arguments.

Contrast

Show how things are different or opposite.

Correlate

Demonstrate a mutual or complementary relationship.

Create

Make, invent something.

Critically (analyse/evaluate)

Add a degree or level of accuracy depth, knowledge and understanding, logic, questioning, reflection and quality to analyse/evaluate.

Debate

Develop a logical (sometimes persuasive) argument, giving differing views in response to a topic.

Deduce

Draw conclusions.

Define

State meaning and identify essential qualities.

Demonstrate

Show by example.

Describe

Provide characteristics and features.

Determine

Decide, find out.

Discuss

Identify issues and provide points for and/or against.

Distinguish

Recognise or note/indicate as being distinct or different from; note differences between.

Draw (diagrams etc.)

An instruction, as in draw a circle.

Evaluate

To ascertain the value or amount of; appraise carefully.

Examine

Inquire into.

Explain

Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident; provide why and/or how.

Explore

Investigate, search for or evaluate.

Extract

Choose relevant and/or appropriate details.

Extrapolate

Infer from what is known.

Identify

Recognise and name.

Illustrate

Similar to 'explain', but requires the quoting of specific examples or statistics or possibly the drawing of maps, graphs, sketches, etc.

Interpret

Draw meaning from.

Investigate

To plan, search or inquire into; examine in order to obtain the true facts.

Justify

Support an argument or conclusion; give reasons for your statements or comments.

Label (and annotate)

Identify by placing a name or word used to describe the object or thing.

List

Provide a series of related words, names, numbers or items that are arranged in order, one after the other.

Name

Provide a word or term used to identify an object, person, thing, place etc.

Outline

Sketch in general terms; indicate the main features of.

Predict

Suggest what may happen based on available information.

Prepare (e.g. in Accounting)

Take the necessary action to put something into a state where it is fit for use or action, or for a particular event or purpose.

Present (an argument)

Offer or convey something such as an argument or statement to somebody formally.

Propose

Put forward (for example, a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action.

Recall

Present remembered ideas, facts or experiences.

Recommend

Provide reasons in favour.

Recount

Retell a series of events.

Respond to ...

Provide an answer; reply.

Select

Choose somebody or something from among several.

Show

Give information; illustrate.

Sketch

A picture or diagram that is done quickly, roughly; a brief outline.

State

Express the main points of an idea or topic.

Summarise

Express, concisely, the relevant details.

Synthesise

Put together various elements to make a whole; gather all ideas and combine them into a complex whole.